Adolescent and Teen Counseling

Sometimes, teens seek therapy themselves, but more often, they’re referred by schools, communities, or family. Regardless of how they come to us, we approach teen counseling much like adult therapy. However, we often incorporate a broader range of activities to engage them within their social circles, fostering positive growth within their community.

Typically, teens and adolescents meet one-on-one with their therapist, with parents occasionally involved to reinforce necessary behaviors or address family dynamics. Our goal is not only to address immediate concerns but also to enhance their overall growth and well-being. We encourage activities that resonate with their values and contribute to their community, such as joining after-school organizations.

teen counseling

Mental Health Conditions We Treat for Teens

There are many reasons why teens might seek professional mental health counseling, from severe depression to simply wanting to improve self-awareness. We offer services for a wide range of issues, including but not limited to:

  • Identity Exploration and Self-Discovery: Helping teens navigate personal identity, values, and interests.
  • Academic Stress: Addressing pressure from school, academic performance anxiety, and concerns about the future.
  • Peer Relationships: Supporting teens in building healthy friendships, dealing with peer pressure, and navigating social dynamics.
  • Family Dynamics: Assisting with family conflicts, communication issues with parents or siblings, and adjustment to family changes.
  • Anxiety and Stress Management: Providing coping strategies for managing stressors, including academic, social, and familial pressures.
  • Depression and Mood Regulation: Addressing feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, and teaching skills for regulating emotions.
  • Body Image and Eating Concerns: Supporting teens with body image issues, disordered eating patterns, and promoting a healthy relationship with food.
  • Substance Use and Abuse: Education and intervention regarding substance use, including alcohol, drugs, and vaping.
  • Digital Wellness: Teaching healthy technology use habits, addressing screen addiction, cyberbullying, and online safety.
  • Self-Esteem and Confidence Building: Boosting self-confidence, self-worth, and helping teens develop a positive self-image.
  • Coping with Transitions: Assisting with transitions such as moving to a new school, divorce, or parental separation.
  • Peer Pressure and Decision Making: Equipping teens with skills to resist negative peer pressure and make healthy decisions.
  • Identity and Gender Exploration: Providing a safe space for teens to explore questions of gender identity, sexuality, and sexual orientation.
  • Anger Management: Teaching constructive ways to express and manage anger and frustration.
  • Trauma and Abuse: Providing support and guidance for teens who have experienced trauma or abuse.
  • Parent-Teen Communication: Facilitating healthy communication and conflict resolution between teens and their parents or guardians.
  • Career and Educational Planning: Assisting with academic and career goal-setting, college preparation, and future planning.
  • Life Skills Development: Teaching essential life skills such as time management, organization, and problem-solving.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Teens

We’re here to help you tackle challenges and reach your goals by understanding how your thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. In our sessions, we’ll team up to spot negative thought habits and find ways to handle stress, anxiety, and tough feelings like sadness or worry.

CBT gives you practical skills that really work and stick with you, making a real difference in how you feel and live. Whether you’re dealing with big feelings, problems with friends or family, or just trying to figure things out, our therapists are here to back you up all the way.

teen therapy cbt

Additional Therapy Methods for Teens

In addition to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we also offer the following therapeutic approaches.

  • Bowenian Family Therapy: Bowenian Family Therapy focuses on understanding family dynamics and patterns of interaction to improve communication and resolve conflicts.
  • Metaframeworks: Metaframeworks is an integrative approach that combines elements from various therapy modalities to tailor treatment to each individual’s unique needs.
  • Person-Centered Therapy: Person-Centered Therapy emphasizes creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences at their own pace.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT helps clients develop mindfulness skills to accept difficult thoughts and emotions, while committing to actions aligned with their values to create a meaningful life.
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT teaches clients skills to manage intense emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and increase distress tolerance through a combination of cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness techniques.
  • Irvin Yalom’s Group Theories: Irvin Yalom’s Group Theories focus on the therapeutic benefits of group dynamics, fostering interpersonal growth, and providing support and feedback within a group setting.
  • Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic Therapy explores how past experiences and unconscious conflicts influence current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, with the goal of fostering insight and resolving internal conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Teen counseling can help with a variety of issues like stress, anxiety, depression, relationships with friends or family, self-esteem, school-related challenges, and navigating life transitions.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, sad, or having trouble coping with life’s challenges, counseling can provide support and guidance. It’s okay to seek help if you’re struggling.
Counseling sessions are a safe space to talk about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Your counselor will listen without judgment, offer support, and help you develop coping strategies and goals.
Counseling sessions are confidential, which means your counselor won’t share what you discuss unless there’s a risk of harm to yourself or others. Your privacy is respected, and you can feel comfortable sharing openly.
The length of counseling varies depending on your individual needs and progress. Some issues may be resolved in a few sessions, while others may require longer-term support. Your counselor will work with you to determine what’s best.
It’s normal to feel nervous or unsure about counseling, especially if it’s your first time. Remember that your counselor is there to support you, and it’s okay to take things at your own pace. Talking about your concerns can help ease your nerves.
Finding the right counselor is important, so it’s okay to ask questions and find someone you feel comfortable with. Your counselor should be someone you trust and feel understood by.
Your counselor will respect your wishes regarding parental involvement. While involving your parents can be helpful, it’s ultimately your decision. You can discuss your preferences with your counselor and find a plan that works for you.
Counseling can provide strategies for managing stress, improving time management and study skills, building confidence, and addressing any underlying issues that may be affecting your school performance.
Counseling can help you explore your thoughts and feelings, gain insight into what may be causing your distress, and develop coping skills to feel more like yourself again. You don’t have to have all the answers to benefit from counseling.

Providers For Individual Adolescent And Teen Counseling

Wesley Dapkus

Wesley Dapkus, LMFT, LCPC
Founder of White Oak Institute

Dr. Brian Jula

Dr. Brian Jula, Clinical Psychologist
Licensed in Illinois and Indiana

Natalie Skinulis

Natalie Skinulis is a Licensed Professional
Counselor with specialty in Marriage/Couples,
Family, and Anxiety Dilemmas

mike minnella

Mike Minnella, Licensed Clinical Professional
Counselor and Master Science Fitness Trainer

Briana Wesclitz

Briana Wesclitz, LCSW
Full-time Licensed Child and Family Therapist

Kristin Low

Kristin Low is a Licensed Professional
Counselor and Licensed Nursing Home and
Health Administrator

dr donna mendez

Donna Mendez, Ed.D., is a Licensed Professional Counselor

Jaclyn Padalino

Jaclyn Padalino, LSW
Full-Time Clinical Therapist

staci dicristofano

Staci DiCristofano is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Jessica Thompson

Jessica Thompson is a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)

Jasmine Keith

Jasmine Arellano-Keith, Residential Therapist

nick winter licensed social worker

Nick Winter LSW, Licensed Therapist

Find a teen counseling therapist that aligns with your needs and supports your wellness and growth.